Within the framework of a ST-EP project in Zimbabwe, a series of training seminars were successfully completed in Victoria Falls addressing topics such as tour guiding, food and beverage services, food preparation and housekeeping.

The project, titled “Enhancing Participation of Youth and Women in the Tourism Sector at Victoria Falls”, aims to build capacities of women and young people in Victoria Falls to make a career in tourism and to strengthen the capacity of tourism Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the area.

At the initial stage, the project, together with the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe and the hotelkeepers association, identified hotels willing to participate and staff members (youth and women) with low-paid jobs who have the potential to grow into better paid positions in the hotel after receiving further training.

In collaboration with the University of Zimbabwe and the Bulawayo Technical College and Hotel School, a tailor-made training programme was devised and a total of four courses delivered to over 100 participants, more than half of them women. 

Arrangements will now be made with the participating hotels to ensure that once the trained staff members have obtained the better-paid positions, the vacant positions will be occupied by other youth/women from a disadvantaged background; this is to ensure that the training has a “double-impact”.

Additionally, the project will further work with selected young and female entrepreneurs in Victoria Falls and support them through training, business advice and small subsidies, with a view to enhancing existing tourism SMEs in the area.